Kannada film industry, also known as Sandalwood, is known for its gorgeous and talented actresses. These actresses are proficient in captivating the audience with their charming on-screen presence, stunning looks and compelling performances. These actresses have played a significant role in the success of Kannada film industry. Here are some of the most beautiful Kannada actresses currently ruling the silver screen.
1. Rashmika Mandanna
Dubbed as the national crush by the media, Rashmika Mandanna is a Kannada actresses who has also featured in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films. She made her debut in the year 2016 with the Kannada film Kirik Party, followed by the commercially successful films, Anjani Putra and Chapak. Mandanna’s breakthrough performance came in the 2018 Telugu romance Geetha Govindam which won her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress. Rashmika Mandanna gained wider recognition nationally for playing the female lead in the superhit action film Pushpa in the year 2021. She debuted in Bollywood with her highest grossing movie Animal in 2023.
2. Radhika Pandit
Radhika Pandit is among the most popular and highest paid Kannada actresses. She started her acting career with Kannada television serials before debuting in Kannada film industry with the film Moggina Manasu, which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress Kannada and Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress. Pandit won two Filmfare Award for Best Actress for the movies Love Guru and Krishnan Love Story. Radhika Pandit has starred in many other hit movies, such as Drama, Addhuri, Bahadur, Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari and Aadi Lakshmi Purana.
3. Manvita Kamath
Manvita Kamath is a leading actress of Kannada cinema. She started her career as a radio jockey before switching to acting. Her debut film Kendasampinge became a commercial success and won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress South and SIIMA Award for Best Debutant Actress Kannada. She achieved more fame for her performance in the commercially hit Kannada action crime thriller Tagaru released in 2018. Other notable films starring Manvita Kamath include Shiva 143, Rajasthan Diaries and Rainbow.
4. Rachita Ram
Rachita Ram is an actress working predominantly in the Kannada film industry. She commenced her acting career with television serials and made her film debut playing the lead character in the commercially successful movie Bulbul released in 2013. Rachita won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress Critics Kannada for her performance in the 2015 action comedy film Ranna. Rachita Ram has many other movies to her credit, including Chakravyuha, Pushpak Vimana, Ayogya and Ayushman Bhava.
5. Sapthami Gowda
Sapthami Gowda primarily works in the Kannada film industry. She made her debut in 2020 with the action crime thriller Popcorn Monkey Tiger, which won her the SIIMA Award for Best Debut Actress. Gowda shot to prominence for playing the role of a village girl Leela opposite Rishabh Shetty in the super-hit movie Kantara. Sapthami Gowda recently appeared in the action drama film Yuva. She has also starred in the Hindi movie Vaccine Wars.
6. Srinidhi Shetty
Srinidhi Shetty started her career in the glamour industry as a model, winning several beauty pageants including Miss Karnataka and Miss Supranational 2016. She made her film debut with the Kannada action film K.G.F Chapter 1 which became a box office success. Subsequently, she appeared in the sequel K.G.F Chapter 2 which became the 4th highest grossing Indian film and won her the SIIMA Award for Best Actress Kannada. Srindhi Shetty debuted in Tamil cinema with the 2022 action film Cobra.
7. Sree Leela
Sree Leela is an American national of Indian origin working in both Kannada and Telugu films. She began her acting career as a child artist in 2017 before playing the lead role in her debut Kannada film Kiss released in 2019. Her second Kannada film Bharaate was released in the same year. Sree Leela debuted in Telugu cinema with the romantic musical film Pelli SandaD in 2021. In 2022, she starred in the Kannada romantic comedy By Two Love.
8. Hariprriya
Shruti Chandrasena, popularly known by her professional name Hariprriya, is a popular actress mainly associated with Kannada films but has also starred in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. She made her debut with the Kannada movie Manasugula Mathu Madhura in 2008. Hariprriya earned a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress Kannada for her performance in the 2009 movie Kallara Santhe.
9. Ashika Ranganath
Ashika Ranganath is a prominent actress of the Kannada film industry. She debuted in Kannada cinema with the 2016 movie Crazy Boy. Her next movie in a lead role was Rambo 2 which became a commercial success. However, her breakthrough performance came in the 2021 Kannada action drama Madhagaja, which earned her the SIIMA Award for Best Actress in Leading Role.
10. Aditi Prabhudeva
Aditi Prabhudeva predominantly works in the Kannada film industry. She debuted in Kannada cinema with the 2017 movie Dhairyam. Subsequently, she gained prominence by starring in Bazaar and Ranganayaki. She earned more fame for her performance in the comedy movie Brahmachari.
Overall if you see the Kannada film industry is blessed with a many talented and beautiful actresses who continue to shine on and off the screen.
